Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa J. Thompson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story begins many years ago when I was just a little small-town elementary schoolgirl with a crayon, an active imagination, and a love for drawing. I doodled on my schoolwork, in my lined notebooks, and on loose sheets of paper.
I also remember drawing out my very own cartoon “animation” on the old-school perforated computer paper (you know the blank white paper, with the carbon paper in the middle that lets you print documents continuously for high-volume jobs?!) Yeah… that stuff. I drew out one cartoon and “watched it” by sliding the pages through two slits cut in a cardboard box television. Pretty cool stuff.
I love the idea of creating visual images and bringing people’s thoughts and visions to life on the page. I then went on to study at university, graduated, and began working as a professional artist. Right after graduating, I dabbled in book illustration for self-published authors. I even created a coloring book series of my own!
Right now, I am focusing on caricatures or cartoon-like portraits. I started drawing caricatures back in 2015 and have continuously improved my technique. I do not do heavy exaggerations like what famous artists on TikTok and Instagram do, but I would love to branch out that way eventually. I am focused on creating “cutie-catures” (Cute and funny but not insulting cartoons of my clients) at the moment.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road… I did not do very well in my art classes in college. In figure and portraiture classes, my professors would always refer to my work as a caricature of the models, not portraits.
But even though I got negative critiques and not-so-great grades, that hasn’t stopped me from getting commissioned for work. Right after graduating, I was approached by an author to illustrate a children’s book. And then a few years later, an opening for a caricature artist at the zoo became available. I applied and underwent the two-week training course and got my official start as a caricaturist from there!
I am a shy person, so putting myself in front of so many people was very nerve-wracking. Even nine years later, I still get pre-gig jitters! But what do you expect? It is pretty intimidating to draw and create good likenesses in a short amount of time (around five minutes per face) to please a paying customer! To overcome the challenges, I had to keep pushing through and pretend that I was more extroverted. Wearing fun costumes also helps me…
I work several types of events now including, but not limited to birthday parties, wedding receptions, mitzvahs, graduation parties, corporate events, trade shows, etc.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My art is divided into three categories: caricatures, performance art, and children’s book illustrations. Caricatures take the forefront of what I do. I specialize in a cute caricature style that is cartoonish but still captures the likeness of the person I am drawing.
I am most proud of the improvements in my artwork that I have made over the years. With each gig, I learn something new and add that new knowledge to my “creative bank account.”
I think what sets me apart from other caricature artists is that I often dress to match the theme of the event. The extent of my costuming depends on the booking agent who gets me the job. So, either my hair has some crazy accessories in it, or I am rocking a full outfit.
For example, I worked a five-year-old’s birthday party that had a Disney’s Tangled theme, and so I showed up dressed as Rapunzel! I have also done a female Grinch, Grenchessa Bah Humbug Grump, for Christmas events. It adds some extra fun and oomph to events. Plus, it gives my introverted self a boost of confidence, almost like I am a completely different person.
Personal motto: “There’s no other possible explanation… I am just Outrageously Vanessa!”
What matters most to you? Why?
I work so hard because I have many ambitions and dreams, I am working towards. I also do this so that I can provide a good life for my son.
I love to make people happy and smile. If my art can achieve that, I know I am doing something right.
Pricing:
- Caricature commissions start at $50 PER face (either person or pet)
- Couple caricature start at $100
- Paper size and complex details etc have additional costs
- Live events start at $250 for two hours, travel fees may apply
Contact Info:
- Website: WWW.VANESSAJTHOMPSON.COM
- Instagram: Instagram.com/outrageouslyvanessa
- Facebook: Facebook.com/outrageouslyvanessa
- Twitter: twitter.com/vanessjthompson
